Just thought I’d recap what I challenged myself with since trying to pare down my life in all of its aspects.
Minimalism isn’t just about owning stuff, it’s also simplifying your own life and routines.
Even consolidating down to using only one bank is considered to be a minimalist action.
Instead of having to log onto 3 banks to check 3 different balances, I’d rather just check one.
Two at the most.
Cutting down my wardrobe:
- Sold 50%+ of it
- Am not shopping for new clothes for all of 2010
Getting out of debt:
- Cleared $60,000 in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross a year (See FB in the City)
Dropping expenses:
- Achieved in December 2009, I spent $821.71 for the month under my $1000 mark
- Money goal this year is to spend $20,000 in net expenditures, without Donations or any kind of Savings taken into account (See my 2010 Money Goal in pictures here)
Wanting to be able to cut down on my stuff
- I now fit my life into 3 suitcases and 2 carryons
- Got rid of most of my books (99%)
- Not buying anything I cannot use
Living in smaller spaces
- Used to live in a 1600 square foot apartment
- Then an 1100 square foot apartment
- And now a small studio is cosy yet still wonderfully spacious with everything we need
Going back to the basics:
- My household cleaners & beauty stuff is a lot more basic & simple
- Using pure, natural shea butter and olive oil to moisturize rather than chemicals that smell too strongly of perfume or have too many ingredients I cannot pronounce
- Cleaning dishes with castile soap
- Removing sulfates, pthalates, parabens and others from my daily life
Eating healthier and even saving money:
- Haven’t turned vegetarian or vegan, but I am eating better
- Enjoy cooking from scratch at home and eating simple meals
- Used to spend $300 a month on food; now I spend $150-$175 by being conscious
None of this is in my pantry for example:
- Soda/Pop/Juices
- Chips
- Candy – I only buy it when I want it. I don’t stock it.
- Chocolate – Ditto
- Frozen Dinners of any kind
- Jams
- Maple Syrup
- Other Spreads of any kind — I hate peanut butter for example
- Salad dressings — aren’t salad people per se, but we love veggies
- Cookies
- Biscuits
- Crackers
- Canned Foods
- Condiments — we don’t actually eat anything that requires ketchup, relish or mustard
- Mayonnaise — I’d make my own if I wanted some, but haven’t found a reason to yet
Luke @ simplifi.de
on Mar 12th, 2010
@ 2:20 pm:
There are some things in that last list that I would definitely want to keep, such as salad dressing and maple syrup (the real thing),
Congratulations on making so much progress! $60,000 of debt in a year = AMAZING!
Tigerlily
on Mar 12th, 2010
@ 5:13 pm:
Maple syrup is such a treat for me! I can't imagine cutting it out. I don't eat it a lot but every now and then I crave it. Also I LOVE peanut butter. I've started buying from my local health food store and they grind it on site out of lightly roasted peanuts. No added sugar or preservatives. I'm addicted. It's less spreadable then traditional peanut butter, but I greatly prefer the taste.
@sedonamoon
on Mar 12th, 2010
@ 6:45 pm:
I have gone from 1600 sq ft to 500 so I am getting rid of stuff whether I want to or not. But I have realized I don't need so much of the stuff I have anyway. It's hard giving up my books, though. Especially the cookbooks….
Mara
on Mar 12th, 2010
@ 3:53 pm:
excellent achievement! we have gone from 2000 sq ft to 1100 sq ft, and are working to whittle down the amount of stuff so that we can move into a small apartment should the need arise. i can actually find the things i am looking for now.
everydayminimalist
on Mar 13th, 2010
@ 9:22 am:
That is a great point — I can locate my things a lot quicker. I know where everything is/supposed to be.
everydayminimalist
on Mar 13th, 2010
@ 9:24 am:
Giving up cookbooks is hard — ebook readers don’t come with colour or pictures. Nor is it handy to keep flipping back and forth
I say keep 3-5 cookbooks you actually use, and donate the rest.. I’ve only kept 2 from my collection but to be honest, I find most of my recipes online and then I store them in my Palm.
everydayminimalist
on Mar 13th, 2010
@ 9:24 am:
Thank you
It was actually a year and a half.. so please don’t be too impressed!
Ashley
on Mar 13th, 2010
@ 6:38 pm:
What an accomplishment!! I am so impressed. Especially by your pantry list! I think I would have a hard time making it without jam, but I use jam a lot, and in several different ways, so I don't think it would make sense for me not to keep it.
99% of books! wow!!
I am so inspired. Thanks for the awesome recap.